The Canadian economy added 7,400,000 jobs in April, according to data released just moments ago by Statistics Canada, compared to a loss of approximately 32,000 jobs in March and February, better than expectations of approximately 4,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate rose 0.2% to 6.9% in April, compared to 6.7% in March. Expectations had been for a rise to...
The Bank of England voted 5-4 to cut interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.25%, as expected, at its meeting just moments ago. Two members favored a 50 basis point cut, and two members preferred to keep rates unchanged at 4.50%. The Bank's interest rate report stated that inflation remained generally low, with the consumer price index reaching 2.6%...
The US Federal Reserve decided, at its meeting, which concluded and was announced just moments ago, by unanimous vote, to keep interest rates unchanged at 4.5%, as expected, for the third consecutive meeting. The statement indicated that the Committee seeks to maximize employment and achieve a long-term inflation rate of 2%, and that uncertainty regarding the economic outlook has increased....
The three major US stock indexes recorded declines at the close of trading on Monday, May 5, after nine consecutive sessions of gains, ignoring positive US economic figures and optimistic statements from the US Treasury Secretary amid market anticipation of Wednesday's Federal Reserve meeting. Economic data in the opening session was positive, with the Supply Management Service (SMS) announcing that...
The US Federal Reserve, which meets on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 6 and 7, and will announce the results of its meeting at the end of the US session on Wednesday, is dominating this week's events. The bank is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at 4.5% for the third consecutive meeting this year, following a quarter-basis-point cut in December....
The report released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics just moments ago showed that the US economy added 177,000 jobs in April, compared to 185,000 in March, which was revised down from 228,000. This was better than market expectations of 137,000 jobs added. Conversely, the unemployment rate remained at 4.2% in April, matching expectations, while the labor force participation...
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, released preliminary estimates just a few moments ago showing that annual inflation in the eurozone rose to 2.2% in April, matching the March reading and exceeding expectations of 2.1%. The largest contribution to inflation in April came from the services sector, which rose at an annual rate of 3.9%, up from 3.5%...
The Bank of Japan decided at its meeting that concluded this morning, Thursday, May 1, to keep monetary policy and interest rates unchanged. Members voted unanimously to keep interest rates at 0.50%, as expected, for the second consecutive meeting, following a hike in the December meeting. The Bank of Japan's quarterly forecast report, issued every three months, showed the bank...
Data released just moments ago from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that U.S. personal income rose by $116.8 billion in March, up 0.5% from 0.8% in February. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index, the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, rose by 0.7% to $134.5 billion, compared to February's reading of 0.4%. The PCE, which excludes food and...
US gross domestic product (GDP) fell to 0.3% in the first quarter of this year, ending in March, according to a report released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This compares to a 2.4% growth in the fourth quarter of last year, falling short of expectations of a 0.2% growth in the first quarter, reflecting the impact of tariffs on...